MEST1 Mock exam: learner reponse

WWW: good structure, concise paragraphs, decent examples.

LR: more coverage of e-media needed, and a more developed conclusion. Add two paragraphs covering this and more focus needed on the actual question. 

My strongest questions was Q1&2, which was media forms and media institution questions. I think this is because I was confident on what to write for both questions.

My weakest questions was Q3&4, which was media audiences and media representations. I think this is because my points weren't always supported by appropriate exemplification from the product. 

Rewritten question

Media Representations 
How is gun violence represented in the trailer?

Gun violence is represented as a positive thing in the trailer. It is seen as a thing of power and status as the four men in the trailer are represented as authoritative. This is a alternative representation of guns as they are normally stigmatised as being dangers and harmful things. This links in with the fact that no one got killed or hurt in the clip. Besides the shooting of planes and robotic objects, the clip never actually showed anyone hurt or injured by the gun shots. 

Also, the fact that everyone in the trailer has a gun is represented as a normal thing to have. This is seen as a means of escape by male audiences as they can see what its like to have a gun and defeat evil with it. This appeals to male audience as this is seen as heroic. Another thing is that the use of the gun is represented as easy executed. This means that male audiences will see that the game is fairly easy to grasp, even though it involves complex ideas.

Furthermore, the representation of gun violence is glamourised for the male audience. The fact that the clip is set in Las Vegas, which is known for everything glamorous, presents gun violence as fun and excited thing to do. The clip also challenges representations of women as Megan Fox is shown to be using a gun and saves the man who is chatting her up by shooting the robotic creature. 

Section B; I managed to cover all three films and platforms adequately with reference to the key words in some paragraphs. However, I didn't include any reference to narrative theories which led to my response lacking enough reference to the question. 

Three things I would do differently 

1. write a sentence with context/info about each film in intro
2. answer the actual question in conclusion and add an evaluative point
3. focus on the question throughout essay

LR: 

How do institutions ensure the audience’s enjoyment of a media product’s narrative is extended 

across the platforms?

Support your answer with reference to a range of products from three media platforms.

In terms of e-media, Ill Manors ensured the audiences enjoyment of the films narrative by creating a Tag London campaign. This is where Ill Manors/Plan Bs Twitter followers would tweet a message to them about the government and they would be able to get this graphitised on buildings in Central London, like the London eye and Parliament. This embodied Ill Manors narrative as it focuses on young people standing up for what they believe in. This is an example of user generated content as users ate interacting with the film. Also, the use of social media helps promote film. The two step flow model is used in this instance as opinion leaders are able to promote the film. The fact that Plan B is a rapper also would help the fan base and audience to consume both his soundtrack and film through synergy and through social media. 

Similarly, the film Suffragette also used user generated content to interact with their target audience on their e-media platform. This involved users posting a picture of their mothers with the hashtag inspiring mothers and they could be in with the chance of winning a cash price. This use of synergy is a perfect way to promote the films main narrative object which is to embrace inspiring women across the world as the film is about a group of women that campaigned for the right for women to vote.